There was not much to see in the village after that, but they strolled around for a little while. There were many people in from the surrounding country; and the jingle of sleigh-bells, and the continual coming and going of teams, made things lively.
One large double sleigh, with extravagant goose-necks, pulled up almost in front of them, and a lady's voice called to Susie,—
"Miss Hudson!"
"Mrs. King! Good-morning. I've been doing some shopping."
"Hope you succeeded better than I can do. Glad I've met you. There are your invitations, and your aunts' and uncle's; and if you'll be kind enough to send over Mrs. Stebbins's to her"—
"I'll attend to that with pleasure," said Port, reaching out his hand for the white envelopes her own was offering.
"And you must all come," said Mrs. King. "I'm going to have my house full. You will not disappoint me? Most of 'em will be young folks, but I'll have a few grown-up people on my own account."
Susie promised faithfully, and Mrs. King drove on.
"I'd like it first-rate," said Port, as he read his own invitation to the party. "We must go, Susie. It'll be fun."
"Of course I'll go. Don't you think she has a very pleasant face?"